Archbishop of Sydney

His Eminence,
Cardinal George Pell
Cardinal Priest of the Title of S. Maria Domenica Mazzarello

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Home > Our Archbishop > Homilies 2003 > Article	Printable Version

Pentecost Sunday

St Mary's Cathedral

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
8 June 2003

The old catechism question "where is God?" had the following response: "God is in heaven, on earth and everywhere."

This is only possible because God is spirit, not material and certainly not male (or female), although Jesus' preferred term for God was "Father". The Spirit of God is real, powerful and invisible, like love or truth.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the Christian feast of the Holy Spirit, or God among us. My annual Pentecost Letter to young people this year addresses the theme of leadership. Good leaders are touched by the Spirit of God. Evil leaders such as Stalin or Hitler or Pol Pot follow the spirit of evil. More of that later.

Pentecost Sunday is also an ideal day for the sacrament of confirmation. All sacraments are designed for the worship of the one true God. God the Father is adored and acknowledged as the source of goodness which is communicated to us by the victory of Christ (Son of God), expressed above all in the seven sacraments.

But Sacraments meet human needs at different stages of life: baptism, marriage, anointing of the sick. The nature of confirmation is such; a sacrament for mission, the gift of God's special grace so young people will continue in the right direction impressed upon them by baptism.

We want them to continue in the right direction; choosing God, goodness and love. Confirmation (for us) is the final sacrament of initiation, building on baptism and First Communion. Through confirmation we hope that faith in God and goodness of all candidates will be increased. Through confirmation the candidates commit themselves again to Jesus Christ.

Jesus is a great leader. More people have chosen to follow him than any other person in history. His teachings continue to strike us as unusual. They bring life and hope, but some are difficult.

His teachings on leadership are also unusual. When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples he gave us an example of servant leadership that he wants us to follow. He called himself the Good Shepherd prepared to lay down his life for his sheep; unusually he was prepared to leave the 99 in the flock to search for one that was lost.

Many times since I was a boy I have heard it said that unless people stand for something they will fall for anything. This is almost completely true.

If Christian belief and practice declined radically in Australia (there is some evidence the rise in unbelief has levelled off), most people would not turn to science and reason. They will be superstitious, choosing bits and pieces from a mishmash of the great religious traditions and New Age recipes.

Think of the tens of thousands of Australians who look at their horoscopes each day to read their future in the stars. Some of them are even serious about this neo-pagan nonsense.

Genuine leaders must have sound principles, personally chosen. These principles will not be self-centred, but directed outwards from the heart, based on an understanding of what is good for society.

It is often claimed that Edmund Burke, the great Irish statesman of the eighteenth century said "It is necessary only for the good man to do nothing for evil to triumph". This truth is not found anywhere in his writings, but he certainly did write, with equal truth: "when bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one".

Therefore genuine leadership always involves some sort of struggle to prevent the advancement of evil; in our families, parishes, schools, business, politics, even sport and the arts. Good people should work together.

Good leaders are enthusiastic and able to inspire enthusiasm in others. They can accept criticism, and their leadership is enhanced by composure and courtesy under pressure.

Sometimes this struggle for good is unpopular and misunderstood. Often leaders need courage, "grace under pressure" to take these stands. This is particularly true for Christians today.

The first such occasion when we go against the flow is often the most difficult. Every time we take a stand it becomes a little easier next time. Every time we fail to rise to the challenge it becomes harder. When we regularly face the small challenges, we are better able to resist grave temptations.

When I was educated years ago, again and again, we were urged to stand on our own feet, make up our own mind, not go with the crowd. This was good, indeed invaluable, advice. St. Paul had it right in his letter to the Romans "Do not be conformed to this word". (c12).

All Christians, young and old, are called to some form of leadership, large or small, in some context. May the Spirit of God enkindle in our hearts the flame of his love for this form of service.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.